It is understood the Premier League board ratified the appointment on the basis that the 40-year-old gains his UEFA Pro Licence within the next two years.

The decision removes the last remaining obstacle in the way of Blackburn offering the job to the current MK Dons manager, who is viewed as one of the most promising young English managers in the game.

It also means that Michael Laudrup, the former Denmark international who was second-favourite behind Ince, is set to be disappointed.

Rovers were informed of the Premier League's decision in writing, but were told the agreement was only given on the basis that the club guarantees Ince gets his qualifications within the two-year period of time.

The decision was made that much easier by the League Managers' Association (LMA) saying they would have no objections were he to be offered the job.

Young English managers are in such short supply in the top flight of English football that LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said the organisation would actively support Ince were he to be appointed.

Former Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has withdrawn himself from the race, but he only had an outside chance at best anyway.

Laudrup had emerged as a rival candidate after the former coach of Primera Liga side Getafe was interviewed by Rovers chairman John Williams in Zurich earlier this week.

Laudrup's agent Bayram Tutumlu said afterwards the Dane had been very impressed by Williams.